I wrote to you just about two years ago, as I was taking on the responsibility of becoming the Queensborough Community Alumni Association (QCCAA) President. To say the least, it has been a very fulfilling two years. I told you at that time, about all my reasons about why I wanted to give back to Queensborough (QCC). Today, I reiterate that sentiment, whereby in my heart, I know that if my professors and student tutors had not taken a keen interest in me and patiently guided me; I would not be where I am today.

I am proud to report, that currently, I along with my fellow Cabinet Member Nina Hanna are working with Dr. Rosemarie Aikas of the Criminal Justice Department, Dr. Paris Svoronos of the Chemistry Department, our fellow cabinet member David Bernandez the Mentor Director of the Males Mentoring Program (and later this month, I am hoping to meet with Mr. Edwin Gonzalez Director of the Military and Veterans Services Department here at QCC), with respect to providing those QCC students who are part of each of the aforementioned programs with a QCCAA scholarship. These scholarships shall be awarded in April, at our First Annual QCCAA Scholarship Award Ceremony, to be held in the Kupferberg Holocaust Resource Center. It is due to the kindness and generosity of Dr. Arthur Flug, that we have the honor of hosting our ceremony from the aforementioned venue.

In addition, I'm pleased to announce that we also gave QCCAA scholarships to three (3) deserving QCC Nursing Department students and attended the Nursing Department’s Annual Candlelight Ceremony in January.

In October, I spoke at Completion Day, whereby students agreed to Commit, Complete and Compete, with respect to their studies at QCC and obtain their Associates Degree at QCC prior to obtaining a Bachelor’s Degree elsewhere. In addition, we also hosted the Math Department's Annual Alumni Reception in the Oakland Dining Hall. Math Department alumni came back to QCC, to meet the current students and provide them with advice on how they could both handle and better understand the curriculum as they strive to complete their studies here at QCC.

In November, my fellow cabinet members Lissa Benton, Vice-President of the Alumni Association Michael Kalkin, Jorge Fanjul and Development Specialist for Alumni Relations Nickie Patterson-Garcia, participated and attended the Student Government Association Networking Workshop, run by Gisela Rivera, which was a very successful event.

On December 8, 2014, I along with Nickie Patterson-Garcia and my fellow cabinet member Cheryle Levine and her husband Stephen Levine had the honor to be in attendance at the special retirement celebration for Dr. Arthur Flug, the former Executive Director of the Harriet and Kenneth Kupferberg Holocaust Resource Center and Archives. It was a very special evening, celebrated by Dr. Flug’s family, friends and many of our local elected officials.

On January 29th 2015, I along with Nickie Patterson-Garcia were both proud and excited to support my fellow cabinet member Miss Lissa Benton, who received the Queens Courier 2015 Rising Star Award. Nickie and I joined Lissa at Terrace on the Park, where she was duly honored.

I am pleased to announce, that I am looking forward to the following upcoming QCCAA events that will be taking place this Spring.

On March 6, I will be conducting the Spring Criminal Justice Court Trip with students from the QCC Criminal Justice Program. I started this successful program with Prof. Aikas last year, and it was met with overwhelming success. The students, who attend this court trip, get to interact with judges, police officers, court officers, and correctional officers. In addition, they also get to attend and watch a criminal trial, watch a judge conduct arrangements, and get a full overview of the intake process from the time a person is arrested straight through the arraignment. In addition, I review each student’s resume, and provide them with advice on how they can update them properly prior to graduation.

We are also currently in the process of starting up an NYPD Ride Along Program, to be conducted by my fellow cabinet member Christine Porter's husband, NYPD police officer David Porter. I will be working on this program with Dr. Aikas as well. Students, who partake in this program, will have an opportunity to ride along with Officer Porter and his partner and get a better understanding of what an NYPD officer's shift entails.

This semester I also plan on meeting with Dr. Young Kim who is the Chairperson/Associate Professor of the Health, Physical Education and Dance Department at QCC. I along with my fellow cabinet members, Roger Mischel and Daniel Armstrong, will be meeting with Dr. Kim, to discuss the possibility of reinvigorating the QCC Athletic Hall of Fame. No one has been inducted since 2001, and it is my hope to be able to once again recognize the successful efforts of our QCC Alumni Athletes.

On April 22, 2015, the QCCAA will be taking part in the 2015 Walk to Aspire. Our team, along with other various QCC clubs on campus, will join together, to raise money for student scholarships. The QCCAA, will raise money through the sales of raffle tickets, offering great prizes to those who participate and ultimately win.

In addition on April 30, 2015, the QCCAA will be in attendance at the 2015 Partners Gala at Terrace on the Park, to recognize those alumni and community leaders, who are all integral parts of the Queensborough Family.

On May 3, 2015, I would like to invite all of my fellow alumni to attend to a Queensborogh Performing Arts Center (QPAC) performance by Chaz Palminteri, in a one-man rendition of the screenplay and movie he wrote entitled a Bronx Tale. We will be working together with Ms. Susan Agin the Executive and Artistic Director of QPAC. For more information on how to obtain tickets please call Nickie Patterson-Garcia at 718-281-5144.

Lastly, on May 29 I will have the distinct honor of participating in the 54th annual QCC Commencement Ceremony. At that ceremony, we will be welcoming back the 25th and 50th anniversary graduation classes. This will surely be a wonderful and memorable event.

In closing, I would like to say that as my first term as Alumni Association President winds down, I'm proud to say that we have done many good things and will continue to do even more over the next few years with the QCC students, faculty, staff, and alumni. It has been both an honor and a privilege to serve you all as the QCCAA President, and if I’m re-elected, I hope to continue to do even more, moving forward with my agenda in the upcoming year and years to come, by continuously raising money and awareness for the QCCAA, so we can provide our students with all the necessary resources available to them, that will assist them in attaining their goals, while they are working to successfulfully complete their studies here at QCC.

Sincerely,

Michael S. Conigliaro, '92President, QCC Alumni Association

Queensborough Community College News

"QCCAA First "Networking/Etiquette" Workshop was held on Saturday, November 8, 2014.

Saturday, November 8, 2014, Queensborough Community College Alumni Association along with the Student Government Association had it's first Networking/ Etiquette Workshop. The Students from the Emerging Leaders Program participated in this program. Alumnae Ms. Lissa M. Benton, '88 put together a spectacular agenda for the day. On hand to assist Lissa was fellow alumni cabinet members Mr. Michael S. Kalkin, '62; Mr. Jorge D. Fanjul, '04, as well as Student Activities Director Ms. Gisella Rivera.

A special thanks to Lissa M. Benton, '88, who now serves as the Alumni Association Cabinets Treasurer, Jorge D. Fanjul, '04 and Michael S. Kalkin, '62 for their support.

QCC Alumni Association Cabinet

The members of the QCC Alumni Association Cabinet are elected to a two-year terms each June by the dues-paying members of the Alumni Association. They are the leaders of the Association and together they elect, from their members, the Executive Board of the Association to a two-year terms – the President, Vice President, Secretary and the Treasurer. Therefore, anyone elected to the Executive Board, whose term is expiring the following year, their term is extended for an additional year to serve as an Officer.

The goals of the members of the Cabinet are to represent the Alumni at the College; serve the Alumni they represent; bring Alumni back to the College; and use the Association resources to help the College to continue its mission and to connect the Alumni to the students – our future Alumni.

For further information on serving in the QCC Alumni Association Cabinet, please call Nickie Patterson-Garcia in the Alumni Office, (718) 281-5144.